Teacher assaulted at Graham’s Hall Primary School

A teacher was physically assaulted at the Graham’s Hall Primary School, Greater Georgetown, on Wednesday and the attack has been strongly condemned by the Ministry of Education.

The teacher has been identified as Shawn Marshall, a graduate teacher, who was assaulted by a parent of the school.

Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain, in a statement issued by the Ministry of Education, said that the Ministry will take all “appropriate actions” to ensure that teachers are able to work in a safe and secured environment.

See full statement from the Education Ministry below:

Assault of teacher at Graham’s Hall Primary School The Ministry of Education (MoE) views with grave concern the physical assault of Mr. Shawn Marshall, a graduate teacher attached to Graham’s Hall Primary by a parent of the school. Whatever the circumstances, it is a reprehensible and ghastly act. It is unacceptable and will not be condoned in the least.

Schools are considered as a safe space and any act of violence is deemed totally unacceptable. When parents or guardians are engaged in violent acts against teachers, it goes against established values, norms, and expectations. We cannot beat teachers and then ask them to teach our children peaceful conflict resolution.

The MoE will therefore take all appropriate actions to ensure that all teachers continue to work in a safe and secured environment Such actions include prohibiting violent parents or guardians from having access to the school premises, transferring any learner out of a school whose parents commit acts of violence on teachers or any other sanction deemed necessary, while encouraging the police or any other institution or authority to take whatever action the law prescribes.

Parents or guardians are reminded that in any instance where an incident occurs with a teacher, the matter must be brought to the attention of the Head teacher or teacher in-charge of the school or institution.

This is for information and guidance.